Our Take on Modern Architecture

MODERN IN THE MOUNTAINS: ONE ARCHITECT’S TAKE

Zane Levin, head of Collective’s architecture team and Principal Architect, was excited when this project on a three-acre lot in Breckenridge came across his desk: The client wanted true modern design in the mountains (not the amorphous “mountain modern” that seems to represent a whole range of styles, most of them contemporary). “These owners wanted flat roofs, big glass expanses, a material palette of metal and wood, and exposed structure throughout the home—all elements of classic modern design,” Levin says. Driven by the stylistic goals, Levin began by designing boxy volumes and flat roofs of varying heights. “With modern design comes a very open floorplan,” Levin says. So here, the great room, kitchen, and dining are all in one form with doors on both sides of the rectangle: One set of doors opens to the front patio and the other, to the backyard. “The owners wanted that open, modern feel in the public gathering space great for entertaining,” the architect says.

Upstairs are additional bedrooms, a flexible office/exercise space, and a family room with tucked-away bunk beds. The second floor also offers access to a big rooftop deck that stacks over the great room and dining area. “The house is in a valley with mountains all around it,” Levin says. “We wanted to capture those views.”

And nothing’s quite so helpful in that pursuit as glass, which Levin calls this home’s “number one material.” (It’s also essential for the home’s passive-solar design, maximizing energy efficiency throughout the year.) To accent the glass, Levin specified cedar siding to add visual warmth, metal fascia for a handsome contrast, and stone to provide additional texture.

For the home’s interiors, Levin and his team designed architectural details on par with the home’s gorgeous exterior. The most notable of these is the staircase. “We have this massive, glassy corner and the tallest ceiling in the whole house,” Levin says. “It was a great opportunity to showcase the stair from both inside and out.” Warm wood treads, an industrial-style structural system, and glass handrails all combine to give the staircase the desired effect—an ethereal, sculpture-like installation.

The staircase isn’t the only area where Levin focused on the interior details: In the entry, a slatted-wood ceiling treatment was designed to “look purposeful and elegant and also have integrated lighting,” he says. “We spent a lot of time planning exactly what that would look like.” Similarly, Levin brought an industrial look to the dining room’s tray ceiling with a faux I-beams: “We didn’t need those beams to be structural, so those are painted aluminum,” he says. His team dreamed up the design for the bar adjacent to the kitchen and planned careful recessed lighting in the main bedroom’s tray ceiling. “I think we do a really good job coordinating details, visually and functionally, so each house is just what a client wants,” he says.

During his architectural work, Levin collaborated with his interior design colleagues at Collective, who selected finishes, furnishings, and fixtures to complete the home’s modern look—and deliver the clients’ dream home.

Learn more about Collective’s distinctive, integrated approach and tell us about your next home project by getting in touch.

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High-Country Style

HIGH-COUNTRY STYLE IN WINTER PARK SKI-IN, SKI-OUT HOME

The owners of this newly built, three-level Winter Park home came to Collective Design’s interiors team with a big request – they wanted us to furnish and finish the whole home with a lot of natural elements but a modern look. The house is the family’s vacation home, but it’s also in the rental pool, so we had to make it beautiful and durable.

The design team set to work creating spaces defined by gorgeous furnishings and layered with pops of color and surprising artwork in the five-bedroom house. In the open living-dining-kitchen area, a live-edge wood dining table gives the space a mountain-inspired feel, complemented by upholstered chairs in a contemporary style. A hair-on-hide rug and triptych artwork—a photo of an elk from London’s Trowbridge Gallery—nod to life in the West.

In the nearby living room, the centerpiece is a custom console that wraps around the back of the sofa and offers shelf space for displaying beloved objects, books, and pretty décor. A custom beam coffee table is a sleek counterpoint to the stone fireplace, and layers of texture—wool rug, fur throws, and leather and linen upholstery—give the room an inviting vibe. The design team made sure there’s plenty of seating for people to hang out, spend time together, have a glass of wine at the end of the day.

The home’s middle level houses all of the bedrooms (except the fun and playful bunkroom, which is on the lowest level). The design team dreamed up serene guest suites that pay homage to nature and coziness; in the bedroom featured here, for example, a headboard in a pattern that riffs on tree trunks takes center stage. By layering textural neutrals in the space, the designers created a luxurious retreat.

But that approach didn’t preclude the design team from having some fun, too: “The clients love pops of color, so we got to have some fun with fabrics and art,” Boettner says. Case in point: The designers created a gallery wall of more than a dozen vibrant ski posters in the bedroom hallway. They also added benches upholstered in colorful fabrics to transition spaces in the home to bring energetic hues to the space.

The owners’ personalities are also evident in the home’s lower-level rec area with games, shuffleboard, pinball machines, and a pool table. The cement floors give the space an industrial feel, while a custom modular sofa gives spectators a comfortable place to sit and cheer. A built-in bar and custom bar-top table that seats 10 people complete the space’s good looks.

The interiors’ beauty gives way, on all three levels of the home, to expansive decks. The team gave each outdoor area distinctive vignettes to accommodate various uses. On the deck outside of the master suite, for example, blue upholstered chairs and a table make a perfect scene for evening cocktails. A hanging pod nearby is an irresistible spot for an afternoon nap.

Collective’s approach delivered exactly what the clients needed: high function, gorgeous spaces, and a look that embraces the home’s unique location adjacent to Winter Park’s ski resort. To begin a conversation about how we can help you create the mountain home of your dreams, get in touch.

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A Remodel Transformation

Lisa Yates – Cordillera Remodel

Located in the beloved community of Cordillera located in Edwards, Colorado this home was transformed from dark, traditional spaces to a brighter, more modern aesthetic still embracing the client’s personality. Design Director Lisa Yates ensured no detail went overlooked over the course of the extensive remodel and full-furnishings revamp. Hear the story behind the Cordillera interior design project in this video. For more on this project, check out our before & after blog.

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Remodel Before & After

BEFORE & AFTER: HOW TO TRANSFORM A LOG HOME
INTO A TIMELESS CLASSIC

This Edwards home has a remodel story that only a pandemic could produce: The owners found themselves quarantined in the home—tucked in the beloved community of Cordillera—during the COVID-19 pandemic. They had approached Collective Design Director, Lisa Yates, to help them remodel their kitchen, but the longer the pandemic wore on, the more they noticed other areas of their home they wanted to change: the dining room, the living room, the main bedroom suite, the mud room and laundry…Before long, the list of areas the owners wanted to transform included nearly every space in the 4,780 square-foot home.

Yates was up for the challenge her clients (and a worldwide pandemic) offered: In lieu of meeting in person, they connected virtually, selecting all finishes and fixtures, furnishings, and décor to give the home a warm, modern feel within the context of its original architecture. The owners wanted Yates to replace the home’s dated and overly ornate elements with a holistic look that was both casual and classic. And instead of ignoring the interior log details, the clients asked Yates to craft a design that embraced them while still giving them a brighter, more modern aesthetic.

For the kitchen, Yates revamped the island shape to make the kitchen more expansive and specified cabinetry in two different finishes from Leadville-based Cutting Edge Woodworking: The kitchen perimeter cabinets are painted Benjamin Moore’s Dorian Gray, while those on the island are finished in a warm brown finish dubbed “Spanish Oak.” Cardoso Black granite countertops on the perimeter and White Pearl quartzite in a leathered finish on the island add to the kitchen’s palette of layered neutrals. New furnishings and a modern light fixture in the breakfast nook make the kitchen a delightful place to enjoy morning coffee, prep dinner, and host guests.

The adjacent living room got an overhaul that began with the fireplace surround: Fresh stacked stone and a more contemporary sandstone mantel set the tone for the space’s new vibe. Yates replaced dated furnishings with a large sectional from Lee Industries and nesting cocktail tables. The simple, elegant lines of the furnishings and the muted color palette help draw attention to the beautiful views from the room’s large window.

One of the designer’s favorite elements in the home is the master bedroom’s live-edge wood headboard, crafted by one of Collective’s custom fabricators. Against the silk Phillip Jeffries wallcovering, the bed is a handsome standout—a contemporary riff on high-country design. Details such as custom pillows from Kravet and lamps from Jamie Young Co. add to the room’s elevated feel.

“It’s been really enjoyable to see the evolution of Cordillera throughout the years and be a part of a project that can carry the neighborhood into a new generation,” said Yates in her recent video interview.

The home’s transformation underscores Collective’s ability to slide seamlessly along the spectrum between traditional and modern to deliver the exact look and feel each client desires. We’re always eager to work with homeowners to create their dream homes—whether your project is a new build, a kitchen remodel, or anything in between. Contact us here to begin a conversation about how Collective’s team can help you achieve your home-design goals.

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Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

6 GIFT IDEAS FOR DESIGN-LOVING MOTHERS

Every mother deserves an extra boost of love on Mother’s Day and the perfect gift is something memorable and timeless. Our designers have put together a Mother’s Day gift guide including unique, stylish items that will bring a sense of joy to mom and her home. Give the gift of interior design while shopping local at our Summit County furniture boutique where we have hand-picked furniture and decor that can be incorporated in any space, of any style. We are sure you will find something she will love, and maybe you will find a treat for yourself as well.

Here are 6 gift-ideas for design-loving mothers…

Coffee Table Books
Pick out a classic, decorative tabletop option that you can stack on a console or, of course, display on a coffee table. Books can act as a stand for florals, candles, and other accessories when you want to add an extra element or color to a space. With a wide variety of options, you can find a book that conveys a meaningful sentiment, becoming a piece you can flip through with your mother for years to come.
Throw Blankets
Throws can give any space that small upgrade of coziness and a feeling of warmth. Whether placed at the end of a sofa, on a chair or bed, a throw will add another layer of texture and contrast. Plus, every time mom wraps herself up in it, she will think of you.
Cutting Boards or Cocktail Trays
Reclaimed wood and marble trays are not only practical but are becoming more unique and stylish these days. If your mom loves to host, a cutting board or cocktail tray is a great option for her. Functional and decorative, they can be used for a dinner party and then displayed on the kitchen counter against the backsplash for contrast, or on a bar top as decor.

Faux Florals
Faux florals are the perfect way to give your mom a gift that keeps on giving well past Mother’s Day. Our Frisco furniture store offers a beautiful array of styles, colors, and stems to choose from. We can design and create custom arrangements based on the aesthetic you are looking for and help you choose a special, one-of-a-kind vase.
Throw Pillows
Give your mother’s favorite sofa or chaise a refreshing pop of color with some fun throw pillows for spring. With countless colors and style options on our furniture store floor, we can help you find the perfect tones and textures that would work in your mother’s space.
Wine Cubes and Wine Coolers
Who doesn’t love a good glass of wine? We know our mothers may sometimes enjoy one from time to time. Give the gift of indulgence and relaxation with a beautiful marble wine cooler and wine cubes to cool down a glass of white or sangria. Take it a step further and pair it with a cheese board for the perfect wine-down at the end of the day.

These are just a few of our favorite designer-curated items, so be sure to stop in our furniture store to browse our furnishings and décor. If you think mom would like to choose her own pieces and meet our team of design consultants, we also offer gift cards that you can purchase. We hope to see you at our furniture store and wish every mother a very Happy Mother’s Day.

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Refresh by Refurnishing

EDWARDS REFURNISH PROJECT

This Edwards design project is the epitome of a design transformation. Our team shows how simple it can be to re-imagine a space by incorporating new furnishings and reconfiguring room layouts to enhance functionality for the client’s lifestyle. The design team brought new life to this mountainside home while continuing to compliment the existing architecture.

The clients purchased the home with existing furnishings and approached Collective seeking a fresh start, a brighter space, and design to reflect their style. With the vision of completing the refresh before their next family gathering, our designers worked with a short timeline to deliver big results. The clients needed a fast turnaround since the clients wanted their home ready for hosting. Together, we strategically chose all quick-ship, transitional pieces that would blend together holistically in the home.

The clients chose to focus on the living, dining, and sitting rooms for this redesign. The team kicked the project off by configuring a few options for the different spaces and finding a furniture plan the clients loved. From there, the designers worked with their clients to curate fabrics, paint colors, furniture, and accessories that were not only impressive, but suitable for the plan laid out.

Since our clients were leaning towards a neutral palette of cream tones, we chose performance perennial fabrics on everything as they’re longer lasting, and of high quality. We accessorized with other textures, like the shearling layered on top of the living room rug for a super cozy vibe.

“The client’s taste is clean and contemporary, so it was fun to blend that aesthetic in a more transitional way that complements the construction of the home. We also layered in a few of the existing pieces that the client still liked in order to make the spaces really feel cohesive with the rest of the home,” said Collective.

The final result encompasses functional yet timeless design and new, refreshed spaces to be enjoyed for years to come. Everything came together seamlessly with the perfect balance of old and new, unique to the clients and what they love. If you’d like to learn more about how you can refresh your space, whether through a few new pieces from our furniture store or a full re-imagining with our design team, contact us today.

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Tips for Timeless Design

TIPS FOR TIMELESS DESIGN

Around this time every year, you start to see a lot of articles attempting to forecast the upcoming trends that will shape home design for the coming months. From the “color of the year,” expected to adorn every stylish home’s walls and furnishings, or a specific materials trend, like flooring or cabinetry, you’ll see all sorts of predictions that may, or may not, stand the test of time. When it comes to interior design, however, we understand that every project is different and doesn’t need to rely on annual trends in order to feel current and comfortable, long after the yearly fads have gone out of style. Instead, our award-winning interior designers approach each project knowing our client’s personal preferences, lifestyle and aesthetic, in order to create spaces that are decidedly timeless, and uniquely perfect. From the beginning of every design project, we ask questions to understand how our clients will utilize their spaces. We identify what their day-to-day looks like and determine how their personal style can be incorporated into their home. From here, we have go-to techniques that we recommend to clients who are looking for a timeless look, no matter how much trends may change. Read on for some of our favorite tips for creating spaces that reflect stylish sensibilities for years to come.

Start with Neutrals
Choosing neutrals such as whites, ivory or beige in fixed finishes and larger furnishings creates a blank canvas to add and exchange pops of color through accessories as seasons and tastes change. Textures and textiles, like wood, linens or velvet, in neutral colors also play an important role in creating a warm, welcoming, and well-designed space. Neutrals are classic and work in any style of home from modern to transitional to traditional and beyond, making it a very popular theme for many of our projects.

Incorporate Earthy Textures
Natural, earthy materials make any room inviting and comforting, especially here in the mountains. A space can really come to life by using elements like wood, stone, greenery, and other textures inspired by the outdoors. Whether you incorporate a stone countertop into your finish selections, a set of leather chairs in your furnishings, or top off your décor with a clay sculpture or succulent, consider a few natural elements to add interest to your space.

Customize Your Upholstered Furniture
When it comes to upholstered furniture, it is important to choose a high-quality, long-lasting, and comfortable piece. Investing in upholstered furnishings makes it completely customizable, allowing you to choose performance fabrics that will last for years to come. In addition to looking great, these durable options are especially beneficial for families with kids or pets. Alternatively, upholstered furniture allows you to pick a bold fabric that can always be reupholstered and replaced as tastes and lifestyles evolve.

Embrace Antiques
Another way to achieve timeless design in any style home is to incorporate a unique antique item, whether designing a room around one of your own treasured heirlooms or seeking out a piece that will work perfectly with your style. When it comes to antiques, we can help you find a great deal on high-quality furnishings to provide a one-of-a-kind statement piece in your home. We also love that when shopping antiques, we support small businesses and practice sustainability by reusing and repurposing.

Lighting is Key
We think it’s safe to say that lighting is one of the most important aspects of your home design and we’re here to help guide you in creating ambiance to reflect your style and how to utilize it best in your space. Architectural lighting, such as canned lighting, is key to showcase your furnishings while setting the overall mood. Decorative lighting can bring out more of the space’s style and aesthetic. We also love to flush fixed finishes with light, such as accent lighting in built-in cabinetry, to warm the space and make it more functional.

Consider Metal Accents
We love adding decorative contrast to any space by incorporating metal accents. Different types of metal work in a range of décor styles – modern, industrial or traditional – and can make a space feel more feminine or masculine, depending on the chosen aesthetic.

Trying to balance your personal style with current styles while future-proofing your home can feel like an overwhelming feat. Our team’s experience and expertise make the process seamless and fun! We work with you to help you make choices that you will love now and down the road.

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Vacation Rental Before & Afters

BRECKENRIDGE INTERIOR DESIGN BEFORE & AFTER

The Collective team reimagined this 1980’s-era slope side condo by remodeling different spaces and replacing flooring and fixtures to reveal a brighter, more functional home. Curated furnishings and accessories brought a distinct air of modern comfort to complete the transformation.

Located in the Village at Breckenridge Resort, in the heart of town, this two-bedroom condo is provided as an employee benefit at a private company. With employees and their families and friends utilizing the space frequently, it needed to appeal to a variety of different guests and individual needs. The designers offered their expertise to provide interior design that focused on maximizing the functionality of the space while incorporating progressive, sophisticated guidance in every detail of the design.

“We were definitely looking for durable furniture that suits the rental nature of the property. Our goal was to modernize it, create more functional spaces for guests, and make it an inviting place to stay while encompassing a mountain modern aesthetic,” said Collective.

New trim was added throughout the condo to provide a timeless, cleaner look. The fireplace in the living room was restored with stacked stone in order to open and brighten the space.

“We helped select high-quality, durable finishes, fixtures and furnishings that were within the client’s budget. One of my favorite things about this project was checking in on the construction process and seeing just how much the finishes alone transformed and upgraded the space,” said Collective.

Our designers refreshed the kitchen by refacing the cabinets, installing new marble quartz countertops, replacing appliances and light fixtures, adding a fresh coat of paint, and a practical, yet stylish tile backsplash.

The team designed the bedrooms with a timeless, modern aesthetic in mind. New furnishings, textures and artwork transformed the spaces into dreamy, comfortable retreats.

If you’re looking to start from scratch, refresh your home or give your favorite space a simple makeover, get in touch with our team today. Through our relationship-focused approach, we’ll help you bring your spaces to life.

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How To: Choose Accent Seating

HOW TO CHOOSE ACCENT SEATING

The living room is one of the spaces where we spend most of our time, whether entertaining family and friends or relaxing with a favorite book after a long day. It’s a space that should always feel comfortable, while beautifully exuding your personal style.

Although it may not be the first thing you think of when composing your ideal living room, accent seating is essential in pulling together the aesthetic and functionality of the space. If you’re looking for a way to spice things up, incorporating the strong silhouette of an occasional chair can be a surprisingly simple way to embolden a space. If maximizing your seating is the goal, accent chairs are a straightforward way to fulfill this need while making a statement through custom fabric, finishes and styles that complement the rest of your look.

When choosing your accent seating, there are many styles to consider. To narrow down your options, first choose your piece based on functionality, considering how it might be used day-to-day and how it fits in the space. From there, you can get creative with customizations to make it your own, and a one-of-a-kind piece.

Swivel

Give yourself the ability to face one direction – a window view or cozy fire – and spin back to face the room. A swivel chair works well in any space, but is particularly suited to an open floor plan, an entry or a reading nook.

Statement

Customize a unique silhouette with a fun fabric and finish and suddenly you’ve got yourself a piece of functional art. Statement seating can be fun in a living room or bedroom space.

Classic

If sophistication is your aesthetic goal, a wing-backed style is an excellent addition to your room. Classic accent chairs are really transitional and can fit well in many spaces. Feature a pair in your living room or place a single chair in your office or bedroom.

Chair and a Half

This ultra-cozy style is the perfect piece to curl up with a good book and a textured throw. By providing a bit more space to spread out, the chair and a half will become your favorite spot in the living or bedroom.

Chaise

Placing it under a window, by a fireplace, or as a seating bench at the end of a bed or against a wall, a chaise adds a dramatic element to your schematic. With the wide variety of styles and customization options, it’s the perfect piece to balance masculine and feminine preferences.

Relaxer

Motion pieces allow for maximum comfort, and with ultra-chic, modern options, there is no need to sacrifice style for the ability to recline. Relaxers are ideal in a large living room or entertainment area.

Ultimately, when choosing accent seating, don’t be afraid to mix and match different styles in different spaces to add depth and interest. Looking for more how-to’s to help revamp your space? Check out our blog on How To Choose Accent Lighting.

For more designer insight, our team is available to help you create spaces that reflect who you are and what you love. Contact us today to discuss your project.

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How To: Choose Accent Lighting

HOW TO CHOOSE ACCENT LIGHTING

Lighting is arguably one of the most important elements of a design. It sets the tone of the room, and with the right statement piece, is often the first thing you notice upon entering. The right lighting can revive, motivate or relax you, depending on the style.

When choosing lighting, every space should have layered illumination, which can include any combination of overhead, task and accent lighting. No matter the layout, there should be contrast and light illuminating the focal points of the space.

Accent lighting is key in creating some of the most inviting ambience. When choosing accent lighting, consider the overall style of the space and pieces you love. To narrow down your options further, consider how it will fit in your space and add to the everyday functionality.

Types of Accent Lighting
Chandeliers

If kept in proportion to the size of the room, large chandeliers can be used in any part of the home to make a statement without overwhelming the space.

Dalton
Add a fun, unique look to a room with a bare-bulb fixture like the Dalton chandelier. This chandelier style offers a bold option for a modern or industrial home.

Denver
This piece will be the main attraction in any modern or contemporary space. It looks exceptionally beautiful over a dining table or coffee table.

Starburst
Functioning as a chandelier and a work of art, the Starburst chandelier is the ultimate showstopper.

Table Lamps

Incorporating table lamps along with overhead lighting creates layers and allows for different combinations to suit varying needs and moods.

Flint
Bold and dark, this lamp is a stunning addition to a bedside table or console in the living room. This table lamp adds an interesting ambiance to any space with high contrast of dark and light.

Taylot
A marble table lamp adds a subtle, pretty texture to a space. Beautiful in a neutral room or with complimenting accent colors, the Taylot lamp illuminates its own unique base as well as its surroundings.

Alden
This table lamp features a polished, natural horn set on a crystal base. It’s a stylish, mountain modern choice for a side table, desk or buffet.

Floor Lamps

A must-have in your living space, floor lamps offer another illumination layer and can sit right beside your sofa as opposed to having a side table. Floor lamps not only offer great light, but double as an art piece.

Forest
Bring a natural element into your mountain home with the Forest floor lamp. This one-of-a-kind piece looks beautiful in a living area or a reading nook.

Jackie
This classic floor lamp works in many different types and styles of spaces. It’s also the perfect piece to balance masculine and feminine preferences.

Jackie
This classic floor lamp works in many different types and styles of spaces. It’s also the perfect piece to balance masculine and feminine preferences.

When choosing lighting, don’t be afraid to mix metals or styles in different spaces of your home. If you’re looking for another way to revamp your space check out our blog on How To Choose Accent Seating or expand your options further with our Step-By-Step Guide to Customizations. For more designer insight, our team is available to help you create space that reflect your personal aesthetic. Ready to light it up?

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